Chapter 4: A Hidden Truth
620 Words
Emma woke up with a smile she couldn't hide.
The silver bookmark Ethan had given her rested on her bedside table, shining softly in the morning sunlight.
She picked it up and gently traced the engraved words with her fingers.
**"Never stop writing your dreams."**
For the first time in years, someone believed in her dream as much as she did.
She carefully placed the bookmark inside her favorite novel before getting ready for work.
Throughout the morning, she found herself smiling without realizing it.
Lily noticed immediately.
"You're impossible."
Emma laughed.
"What now?"
"You've been staring out the window for five minutes."
"I was just thinking."
"About Ethan?"
Emma couldn't deny it.
"Maybe."
Lily smiled.
"I've never seen you this happy."
Emma looked down.
"I don't know what's happening."
"Maybe you're falling in love."
Those words stayed in Emma's mind for the rest of the day.
...
Meanwhile, Ethan arrived at the headquarters of Brooks Corporation.
The moment he stepped inside the building, every employee greeted him respectfully.
"Good morning, Mr. Brooks."
"Good morning, sir."
His cheerful expression disappeared.
He became serious once again.
Inside the conference room, executives waited for him.
His assistant, Daniel, approached quietly.
"Sir, you've missed two meetings this week."
"I know."
"The board is beginning to ask questions."
"They can wait."
Daniel looked surprised.
"Is everything alright?"
Ethan looked out the large glass window.
"For the first time in years..."
"...I think it is."
...
That evening, Emma received another call.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Emma."
"Ethan."
"I was wondering if you'd like to take a walk tonight."
"I'd love to."
An hour later they met in the city's central park.
The weather was perfect.
Families were enjoying the evening, children were playing, and soft lights illuminated the walking paths.
They walked side by side without saying much.
Somehow, silence between them always felt comfortable.
After a while, they sat on a wooden bench beside the lake.
Emma looked at Ethan.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"What exactly do you do?"
Ethan smiled slightly.
"I told you... I work in business."
Emma laughed.
"That's not really an answer."
Before Ethan could reply, the sound of tires echoed nearby.
A black luxury car stopped beside the park entrance.
A man wearing a suit hurried toward them.
He looked nervous.
"Mr. Brooks!"
Emma frowned.
The man stopped in front of Ethan.
"The board meeting starts in twenty minutes."
"I'm aware."
"Everyone is waiting for you, sir."
Emma slowly turned toward Ethan.
"Mr. Brooks?"
Ethan closed his eyes for a second.
"I was going to tell you."
The assistant looked at Emma before speaking again.
"Sir, the directors are becoming impatient."
Emma looked confused.
"What is he talking about?"
Ethan took a deep breath.
"My full name is Ethan Brooks."
"I know."
"I'm the CEO of Brooks Corporation."
Emma's eyes widened.
"The Brooks Corporation?"
One of the largest companies in the country.
The company she had read about countless times.
She couldn't believe it.
"You... never told me."
"I wanted you to know me first."
"Not my money."
Emma stood silently.
Everything suddenly made sense.
The expensive restaurant.
The luxury car.
The confidence.
The assistant.
The meetings.
She looked into Ethan's eyes.
"You lied to me."
"I didn't."
"I just wasn't ready."
Emma took a slow step backward.
"I need time."
Without waiting for his answer, she turned around and walked away.
Ethan remained standing beside the lake.
Watching her disappear into the darkness.
For the first time since meeting Emma...
He wasn't afraid of losing his company.
He was afraid of losing her.
Far away, inside the same black luxury car...
A mysterious man smiled.
"Excellent."
"The first c***k has finally appeared."
**End of Chapter 4**
- Writer
